A TRUSTED leisure centre worker who was caught stealing money from her employers has walked free from court.

Katrina Humphrey booked customers into their sports sessions, but did not put their money through the till.

The 46-year-old was spotted cheating the finances by a gym instructor who then kept an eye on her from above.

The staff member was waiting for a customer on a balcony when he saw Humphrey take money and fail to register it.

Humphrey was working alone on the reception at Hambleton Leisure Centre in Northallerton, last year.

The instructor told the duty manager what he saw, and she then kept an eye on what was going on, a court heard.

Prosecutor Sam Faulks told the court the duty manager took videos and still photographs of Humphreys as she did not put money through the till.

She had been watched putting cash to one side and covering it with a folder, before sticking it in her bag and transferring it to her purse.

Humphreys, of Niele Close, Romanby, Northallerton, admitted a charge of theft from Hambleton District Council.

She was given a four-month community order with an electronic tag curfew from 7pm to 6am for that time.

Judge Howard Crowson also ordered her to pay the £1,200 costs of her court cases at the rate of £50 a fortnight.

He said: "There is a time when stealing from your employer meant immediate prison, but things have changed.

"You were in sole charge of the till and were able to manipulate the system where the people who operated were trusted.

"You knew if you didn't put it through the computer, the till would still tally, and you would have the money in your purse."

Robert Mochrie, mitigating, described the crime as "very much a blip in her life" and "a misjudged idea".

Judge Crowson agreed to relax the curfew between June 19 and 26 because Humphreys had an overseas holiday already booked.